“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.”
John F. Kennedy
This year tested California hospitals in ways none of us could have scripted at the beginning of the year. Between the most significant federal Medicaid cuts in history under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and a state budget that fell painfully short for providers, 2025 forced hospitals to stretch, adapt, and flat-out persevere. Add in the daily grind — workforce shortages, record-high operating costs, rising patient acuity — and it’s clear that 2026 and beyond will demand even more grit.
But before we shift entirely into “next-year mode,” it’s worth pausing for the bright spots that did break through this year — signs that our work is making a difference even in this incredibly intense legislative and regulatory climate:
- California hospitals continued to deliver excellence. California hospitals continued to be recognized nationally for clinical quality outcomes, a powerful reminder that — despite financial strain — our health care quality remains world-class.
- Whole-person Medi-Cal reforms began taking shape. The state’s 2025 quality strategy created real momentum toward behavioral health integration, upstream preventive care, and community-based partnerships. These are all areas where Hospital Council, CHA, and California hospitals are already leading.
- Hospitals continued to anchor their communities. From emergency response to behavioral health stabilization, hospitals remained the backbone of local health systems, providing care for all Californians.
As the impacts of federal and state policy decisions become clearer in the coming months, gratitude for what is working will become fuel and momentum to meet the challenges before our industry and the patients we serve.
Hospital Council is deeply grateful to work alongside hospitals that are committed to providing high-quality, vital health care despite new legislative and regulatory obstacles. We are stronger together than any single hospital could ever be on its own.
Gratitude alone won’t get us through the years ahead. Former President Kennedy’s words remind us to take this time to thank the people who work in and for our hospitals in both good and challenging times. Today and every day throughout the year, we are grateful for your dedication.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, your families, and your hospital teams!